What is a Dinosaur? Reading Answers

Dec 8, 2022

What is a Dinosaur? Reading Answers deals with the details of early dinosaurs and its emergence. This topic comprises a total of 14 questions that are required to be answered within 20 minutes. What is a Dinosaur? Reading Answers comprises of question types such as; match the headings and no more than tthree words. Match the headings can be solved by remembering the cases presented in the IELTS reading passage. Moreover, a thorough reading can help with answering questions related to no more than three words. For all the questions candidates will find appropriate cues. Candidates must ensure that they strictly abide by the word limits mentioned and not exceed them. There are numerous topics found in IELTS reading practice papers for practice.

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Reading Passage Questions

Although the name dinosaur is derived from the Greek for "terrible lizard", dinosaurs were not, in fact, lizards at all. Like lizards, dinosaurs are included in the class Reptilia, or reptiles, one of the five main classes of Vertebrata, animals with backbones. However, at the next level of classification, within reptiles, significant differences in the skeletal anatomy of lizards and dinosaurs have led scientists to place these groups of animals into two different superorders: Lepidosauria, or lepidosaurs, and Archosauria, or archosaurs.
Classified as lepidosaurs are lizards and snakes and their prehistoric ancestors. Included among the archosaurs, or "ruling reptiles", are prehistoric and modern crocodiles, and the now extinct thecodonts, pterosaurs and dinosaurs. Palaeontologists believe that both dinosaurs and crocodiles evolved, in the later years of the Triassic Period (c. 248-208 million years ago), from creatures called pseudosuchian thecodonts. Lizards, snakes and different types of thecodont are believed to have evolved earlier in the Triassic Period from reptiles known as eosuchians.
The most important skeletal differences between dinosaurs and other archosaurs are in the bones of the skull, pelvis and limbs. Dinosaur skulls are found in a great range of shapes and sizes, reflecting the different eating habits and lifestyles of a large and varied group of animals that dominated life on Earth for an extraordinary 165 million years. However, unlike the skulls of any other known animals, the skulls of dinosaurs had two long bones known as vomers. These bones extended on either side of the head, from the front of the snout to the level of the holes on the skull known as the antorbital fenestra, situated in front of the dinosaur's orbits or eyesockets.
All dinosaurs, whether large or small, quadrupedal or bidepal, fleet-footed or slow-moving, shared a common body plan. Identification of this plan makes it possible to differentiate dinosaurs from any other types of animal, even other archosaurs. Most significantly, in dinosaurs, the pelvis and femur had evolved so that the hind limbs were held vertically beneath the body, rather than sprawling out to the sides like the limbs of a lizard. The femur of a dinosaur had a sharply in-turned neck and a ball-shaped head, which slotted into a fully open acetabulum or hip socket. A supra-acetabular crest helped prevent dislocation of the femur. The position of the knee joint, aligned below the acetabulum, made it possible for the whole hind limb to swing backwards and forwards. This unique combination of features gave dinosaurs what is known as a "fully improved gait". Evolution of this highly efficient method of walking also developed in mammals, but among reptiles it occurred only in dinosaurs.
For the purpose of further classification, dinosaurs are divided into two orders: Saurischia, or saurischian dinosaurs, and Ornithischia, or ornithischian dinosaurs. This division is made on the basis of their pelvic anatomy. All dinosaurs had a pelvic girdle with each side comprised of three bones: the pubis, ilium and ischium. However, the orientation of these bones follows one of two patterns. In saurischian dinosaurs, also known as lizard-hipped dinosaurs, the pubis points forwards, as is usual in most types of reptile. By contrast, in ornithischian, or bird-hipped, dinosaurs, the pubis points backwards towards the rear of the animal, which is also true of birds.
Of the two orders of dinosaurs, the Saurischia was the larger and the first to evolve. It is divided into two suborders: Therapoda, or therapods, and Sauropodomorpha, or sauropodomorphs. The therapods, or "beast feet", were bipedal, predatory carnivores. They ranged in size from the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, 12m long, 5.6m tall and weighing an estimated 6.4 tonnes, to the smallest known dinosaur, Compsognathus, a mere 1.4m long and estimated 3kg in weight when fully grown. The sauropodomorphs, or "lizard feet forms", included both bipedal and quadrupedal dinosaurs. Some sauropodomorphs were carnivorous or omnivorous but later species were typically herbivorous. They included some of the largest and best-known of all dinosaurs, such as Diplodocus, a huge quadruped with an elephant-like body, a long, thin tail and neck that gave it a total length of 27m, and a tiny head.
Ornithischian dinosaurs were bipedal or quadrupedal herbivores. They are now usually divided into three suborders: Ornithipoda, Thyreophora and Marginocephalia. The ornithopods, or "bird feet", both large and small, could walk or run on their long hind legs, balancing their body by holding their tails stiffly off the ground behind them. An example is Iguanodon, up to 9m long, 5m tall and weighing 4.5 tonnes. The thyreophorans, or "shield bearers", also known as armoured dinosaurs, were quadrupeds with rows of protective bony spikes, studs, or plates along their backs and tails. They included Stegosaurus, 9m long and weighing 2 tonnes.
The marginocephalians, or "margined heads", were bipedal or quadrupedal ornithschians with a deep bony frill or narrow shelf at the back of the skull. An example is Triceratops, a rhinoceros-like dinosaur, 9m long, weighing 5.4 tonnes and bearing a prominent neck frill and three large horns.

Solution and Explanation
Question 1-7:

The Passage has 8 paragraphs (A-H). Choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below. Write the appropriate numbers (i-xiii) in Boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet. One of the headings has been done for you as an example. NB. There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.

List of Headings

165 million years
The body plan of archosaurs
Dinosaurs – terrible lizards
Classification according to pelvic anatomy
The suborders of Saurischia
Lizards and dinosaurs – two distinct superorders
Unique body plan helps identify dinosaurs from other animals
Herbivore dinosaurs
Lepidosaurs
Frills and shelves
The origins of dinosaurs and lizards
Bird-hipped dinosaurs
Skull bones distinguish dinosaurs from other archosaurs

(Guide: Candidates need to study the headings, and match each heading with the suitable paragraph marked A to H )

Question 1. Paragraph A

Answer: (vi) Lizards and dinosaurs – two distinct superorders
Supporting Statement: ‘Although the name dinosaur is derived from the Greek for “terrible lizard” dinosaurs were not, in fact, lizards at all.’
Keyword: dinosaurs were not, in fact, lizards at all
Keyword Location: First sentence of Paragraph A
Explanation: The brief but thorough distinction between lizards and dinosaurs is outlined in paragraph A. The word "dinosaurs" comes from the Greek for "terrible lizards," however the only link between lizards and dinosaurs is that both are members of the reptile family. Dinosaurs and lizards were divided into two distinct superorders due to variations in their skeletons. Thus, the most appropriate title for Paragraph A is (vi) Lizards and dinosaurs: two separate superorders.

Question 2. Paragraph B

Answer: (xi) The origins of dinosaurs and lizards
Supporting Statement: ‘Palaeontologists believe that both dinosaurs and crocodiles evolved, in the later years of the Triassic Period (c, 248-208 million years ago), from creatures called pseudosuchia thecodonts. Lizards, snakes and different types of thecodont are believed to have evolved earlier in the Triadic Period from reptiles known as eosuchians.’
Keyword: dinosaurs and crocodiles evolved, in the later years of the Triassic Period, Lizards, snakes and different types of thecodont are believed to have evolved earlier in the Triadic Period
Keyword Location: Second and last sentence of Paragraph B
Explanation: The evolution of lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and other reptiles, including dinosaurs, is discussed in paragraph B. It is thought that lizards and snakes descended from early reptiles known as eosuchians during the Triadic Period. However, it is thought that in the late Triassic Period, organisms known as pseudosuchia thecodonts gave rise to dinosaurs and crocodiles. The most acceptable heading for Paragraph B is heading (xi) The beginnings of dinosaurs and lizards since this paragraph examines the evolution of lizards and dinosaurs.

Question 3. Paragraph C

Answer: (xiii) Skull bones distinguish dinosaurs from other archosaurs
Supporting Statement: ‘The most important skeletal differences between dinosaurs and other archosaurs are in the bones of the skull, pelvis and limbs.’
Keyword: skeletal differences, in the bones of the skull
Keyword Location: First sentence of Paragraph C
Explanation: The skeletal distinctions between dinosaurs and other archosaurs are discussed in paragraph C. It claims that the skull, pelvis, and limb bones are where they most vary from one another. Different dinosaurs have different skull shapes and sizes that reflect things like their eating habits. Unlike the skulls of other living things, the skulls of dinosaurs have two long bones called vomers. (xiii) The heading for this paragraph should be "Skull bones distinguish dinosaurs from other archosaurs."

Question 4. Paragraph D

Answer: (vii) Unique body plan helps identify dinosaurs from other animals
Supporting Statement: ‘Identification of this plan makes it possible to differentiate dinosaurs from any other types of animal, even other archosaurs.’
Keyword: Identification of this plan, differentiate dinosaurs from any other types of animal
Keyword Location: First sentence of Paragraph D
Explanation: According to paragraph D, dinosaurs have a unique body structure that sets them apart from other animals. Many differences, such as the dinosaurs' vertically positioned hind legs in contrast to other reptiles like lizards, are used to highlight the unique physical characteristics of dinosaurs. Therefore, the title of Paragraph D, (vii) Unique body plan helps distinguish dinosaurs from other animals, is the only one that fits.

Question: 5. Paragraph E

Answer: (iv) Classification according to pelvic anatomy
Supporting Statement: ‘For the purpose of further classification, dinosaurs are divided into two orders: Saurischia, or saurischian dinosaurs, and Ornithischia, or ornithischian dinosaurs. This division is made on the basis of their pelvic anatomy. ’
Keywords: division, pelvic anatomy
Keyword Location: Second sentence of Paragraph E
Explanation: The second order categorization of dinosaurs—Saurischia, or saurischian dinosaurs, and Ornithischia, or ornithischian dinosaurs—is first presented in paragraph E. Based on the variations in dinosaur pelvic anatomy, this categorization is made. According to legend, the pubis of saurischian dinosaurs pointed forward like that of the majority of reptile species. However, unlike in birds, the pubis of ornithischian dinosaurs points backward and toward the animal's back. Heading (iv) can be used for this paragraph because it discusses the two categories of dinosaurs based on their pelvic anatomy.

Question 6. Paragraph F

Answer: (v) The suborders of Saurischia
Supporting Statement: ‘Of the two orders of dinosaurs, the Saurischia was the larger and the first to evolve. It is divided into two suborders: Theropod, or therapods, and Sauropodomorpha, or sauropodomorphs ’
Keywords: Saurischia, divided into two suborders
Keyword Location: First and second sentence of Paragraph F
Explanation: Theropod, or theropods, and Sauropodomorpha, or sauropodomorphs, are the two suborders of Saurischia that are examined in paragraph F. This paragraph analyses the two's differences in great depth. The main distinction between the two is that while Sauropodomorpha initially evolved as carnivores or omnivores, they later changed to herbivores. Theropods were carnivores. The heading for Paragraph F is to be given as (v) The suborders of Saurischia.

Question 7. Paragraph G

Answer: (viii) Herbivore dinosaurs
Supporting Statement: ‘Ornithischian dinosaurs were bipedal or quadrupedal herbivores.’
Keywords: herbivores
Keyword Location: First sentence of Paragraph G
Explanation: The Ornithischian dinosaurs, who were herbivores, are discussed in paragraph G. Ornithipoda, Thyreophora, and Marginocephalia are the suborders into which they are further separated. The heading (viii) Herbivore dinosaurs is the most appropriate one for the paragraph because it discusses the body structure and other traits of these dinosaurs.

Questions 8-10:

Complete the sentences below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each blank space. Write your answers in Boxes 22-24 on your answer sheet.

(Guide:Candidates are required to select no more than three words to fill the blanks)

Question 8. Lizards and dinosaurs are classified into two different superorders because of the difference in their__________.

Answer: skeletal anatomy
Supporting Sentence: However, at the next level of classification, within reptiles, significant differences in the skeletal anatomy of lizards and dinosaurs have led scientists to place these groups of animals into two different superorders: Lepidosauria, or lepidosaurs, and Archosauria, or archosaurs.
Keyword: skeletal anatomy
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: The sentence in Paragraph A of the passage that the question refers to is the one that reads, "However, at the next level of classification, within reptiles, significant differences in the skeletal anatomy of lizards and dinosaurs have led scientists to place these groups of animals into two different superorders."

Question 9. In the Triassic Period, ________________ evolved into thecodonts, for example, lizards and snakes.

Answer: eosuchians
Supporting Sentence: Lizards, snakes and different types of thecodont are believed to have evolved earlier in the Triassic Period from reptiles known as eosuchians
Keyword: lizards, snakes, thecodont
Keyword Location: Paragraph B, last line
Explanation: The statement in Paragraph A of the paragraph that is referenced in the question is "Lizards, snakes, and various forms of thecodont are believed to have developed earlier in the Triassic Period from reptiles known as eosuchians."

Question: 10. Dinosaur skulls differed from those of any other known animals because of the presence of vomers:______________.

Answer: two long bones
Supporting Sentence: However, unlike the skulls of any other known animals, the skulls of dinosaurs had two long bones known as vomers. These bones extended on either side of the head, from the front of the snout to the level of the holes on the skull known as the antorbital fenestra, situated in front of the dinosaur's orbits or eyesockets.
Keyword: bones, skulls, two
Keyword Location: Paragraph A
Explanation: The phrase "however, unlike the skulls of any other known animals, the skulls of dinosaurs had two long bones known as vomers" is referenced in the question. in the first paragraph of the text.

Questions 11-14:

Choose one phrase (A-H) from the list of features to match with the Dinosaurs listed below. Write the appropriate letters (A-H) In Boxes 25-28 on your answer sheet. The information in the completed sentences should be an accurate summary of the points made by the writer. NB. There are more phrases (A-H) than sentences, so you will not need to use them all. You may use each phrase once only.

(Guide: Candidates need to match the correct heading with the suitable paragraph. They need to write down the answers in the answer sheet’s boxes )

Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs differed from lizards, because…
Saurischian and ornithischian dinosaurs…
Unlike therapods, sauropodomorphs…
Some dinosaurs used their tails to balance, others…

List of features

are both divided into two orders.
the former had a “fully improved gait”.
were not usually very heavy.
could walk or run on their back legs.
their hind limbs sprawled out to the side.
walked or ran on four legs, rather than two.
both had a pelvic girdle comprising six bones.
did not always eat meat.

Question 11. Dinosaurs differed from lizards, because…

Answer: B. the former had a “fully improved gait”
Supporting statement: ‘The position of the knee joint, aligned below the acetabulum, made it possible for the whole hind limb to swing backwards and forwards. This unique combination of features gave dinosaurs what is known as a "fully improved gait".’
Keyword Location: Paragraph D second last sentence
Explanation: Before mammals, reptiles with different developed walking styles included dinosaurs. In contrast to lizards, they have a fuller improved gait that enables their entire hind limb to swing backwards and forwards. Dinosaurs are fundamentally distinct from lizards because of this. Thus, B. bird-hipped is the best response.

Question 12. Saurischian and ornithischian dinosaurs…

Answer: G. both had a pelvic girdle comprising six bones.
Supporting statement: ‘All dinosaurs had a pelvic girdle with each side comprised of three bones: the pubis, ilium and ischium.’
Keyword location: Paragraph E fifth sentence
Explanation: Six pelvic girdle bones, three on each side, were present in all dinosaurs. Dinosaurs from the Saurischian and Ornithischian periods had similar traits.

Question 13. Unlike therapods, sauropodomorphs…

Answer: H. did not always eat meat.
Supporting statement: ‘Some sauropodomorphs were carnivorous or omnivorous but later species were typically herbivorous.’
Keyword location: Paragraph E third sentence
Explanation: According to paragraph E, unlike its fellow suborder therapods, sauropodomorphs subsequently evolved to become herbivores despite having previously been carnivores and omnivores. So, the sole candidate for this question is H.

Question 14. Some dinosaurs used their tails to balance, others…

Answer: F. walked or ran on four legs, rather than two.
Supporting statement: ‘The ornithopods, or "bird feet", both large and small, could walk or run on their long hind legs, balancing their body by holding their tails stiffly off the ground behind them. An example is Iguanodon, up to 9m long, 5m tall and weighing 4.5 tonnes. The thyreophorans, or "shield bearers", also known as armoured dinosaurs, were quadrupeds with rows of protective bony spikes, studs, or plates along their backs and tails.’
Keyword location: Paragraph G second and third sentence
Explanation: The thyreophorans, which used their tails to balance themselves in the first part of the question, are mentioned, and the rest of the question is about ornithopods, which could run and walk. The solution is F rather than D since the question explicitly points us to paragraph G.

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